Advertising Free Matinee for Children: Sneak Previews and Squire’s Rival Showdown

Originally Aired: June 12, 1935 In Lum & Abner #128, “Advertising Free Matinee for Children,” Lum and Abner prepare for the grand opening of their new Pine Ridge Planetarium theater, but their excitement is quickly dampened when Squire Skimp undercuts them—again—by opening his show a day earlier. As Abner becomes obsessed with watching The Texas Kid repeatedly (even hollering directions to the screen), Dick Huddleston suggests a clever workaround: host a secret preview matinee for children on Friday afternoon, just ahead of Squire’s premiere. The plan? Let the kids in free, build buzz, and outmaneuver their rival without tipping him off. Packed with projector malfunctions, synchronized sound struggles, and plot recaps shouted from the booth, this episode is a perfect blend of small-town scheming and comedic charm. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Squire Skimp Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, projectorbooth, freepreview, TexasKid, BuckJones, theaterantics, classicradio, vaudeville, sneakpreview, kiddiematinee, LumAndAbnerTheater